The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.

“It has also been a subject of discussion, how extremely frequent is the intercourse that heretics hold with magicians, with charlatans, with astrologers, with philosophers; and the reason is that they are people who devote themselves to curious questions. "Seek, and you shall find," is everywhere in their minds. Thus, from the very nature of their conduct may be estimated the quality of their faith. In their discipline we have an index of their doctrine. They say that God is not to be feared; therefore all things are in their view free and unchecked. Where, however, is God not feared, except where he is not, there truth also is not. Where there is no truth, then, naturally enough, there is also such a discipline as the heretics. But where God is, there exists "the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom." Where the fear of God is, there is seriousness, an honorable and yet thoughtful diligence, as well as an anxious carefulness and a well-considered admission [to the sacred ministry], a safely guarded communion, promotion after good service, a scrupulous submission [to authority], a devout attendance, a modest gait, a united church and God in all things.”

“Fairer in my eyes is the beauty that we can gaze on than that which is painted in words; of more value the wealth that our hands can hold, than that which is imagined in our dreams; and more real the wisdom of which we are convinced by deeds, than that which is set forth in splendid language. For "a good understanding," he said, "have all they who act accordingly," not they who proclaim it. Time is the best touchstone of this wisdom, and "the gray head is a crown of glory."”

“I think I shall not seem to be taking too much on myself, if, in the midst of my children, I yield to my desire to teach, seeing that the master of humility himself has said, "Come, you children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Therein one may observe both the humility and the grace of his reverence for God. For in saying "the fear of the Lord," which seems to be common to all, he has described the chief mark of reverence for God. As, however, fear itself is the beginning of wisdom and the source of blessedness—for they that fear the Lord are blessed—he has plainly marked himself out as the teacher for instruction in wisdom and the guide to the attainment of blessedness.”

“..."The fear of the Lord," therefore, "is the beginning of wisdom." "Understanding is good" [Psalm 111:10]. Who gainsayeth? But to understand, and not to do, is dangerous. It is "good," therefore, "to those that do there after." Nor let it lift up the mind unto pride; for, "the praise of Him," the fear of whom is the beginning of wisdom, "endureth for ever:" and this will be the reward, this the end, this the everlasting station and abode. There are found the true commandments, made fast for ever and ever; here is the very heritage of the New Covenant commanded for ever. "One thing," he saith, "I have desired of the Lord, which I will require: even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." For, "blessed are they that dwell in the house" of the Lord: "they will be alway praising" Him; for "His praise endureth for ever."”

“And again he said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Now the end of the path of good works is spiritual love, therefore from love divine wisdom is produced, and the blessed David well taught us that the beginning of this way of wisdom is the fear of God. For as to every matter in [this] world there is a beginning and an end, and as the paths which are trodden down naturally by the passage of footsteps have also a beginning and an end, even so hath the path of virtue a beginning and an end; its beginning is the fear of God, and its end is the wisdom which is born of love. And it is right that every man who wisheth to begin the Christian life should begin it with the fear of God, even according to the teaching of the blessed David.”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,.... The fear of the Lord, whose name is revered, is not a fear of his judgments here or hereafter, but of his goodness and grace; it is a reverential affection for him, a fiducial fear of him, a fear of offending so good a Being as he is; and it includes all religious worship of him, inward and outward, private and public; and at this true wisdom begins; a man begins to be wise when he fears the Lord, and not till then; this is his highest wisdom, and this is, as it may be rendered, "the chief of wisdom" (i), the principal part of it; see Pro 9:10. A good understanding have all they that do his commandments; or "that do them" (k); the fear of the Lord and wisdom; that exercise them, that do as they oblige and direct to; so R. Moses in Aben Ezra connects the words; such have a good understanding of the Lord, know him as the object of their fear and reverence, and of their duty to him, and of their own interest, it being their wisdom to fear him; since by attending to their duty, to the word and ordinances of God, such arrive to a greater degree of knowledge and understanding of divine things. Some render it "good success (l)" or "prosperity", as Kimchi; such usually have prosperity in soul and body, in things temporal and spiritual; see Jos 1:8. His praise endureth for ever; or "its praise" (m); the praise of the fear of the Lord, of divine wisdom, and of a good understanding; just as of circumcision in the heart, Rom 2:29 or the praise of him that does the above things, that does the commandments of God, or acts under the fear of God, and as a wise man, Co1 4:5 or rather the praise of God, which shall be given him by angels and men now and for evermore, as it ought to be; and to stir up to which is the design of the psalm throughout; and which men are encouraged to from the works and word of God, from his name, nature, and covenant, and from his blessings and acts of grace and goodness. (i) "caput sapientiae", Junius & Tremellius; "vel praecipuum", Cocceius; "summa", Michaelis. (k) "facientibus ea", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremelilius, &c. (l) "successus optimus", Junius & Tremellius; so Ainsworth. (m) "quorum laus", Tigurine version; i.e. "uniuscujusque facientium", Gejerus, Michaelis. Next: Psalms Chapter 112”

“Fear. Hebrew, “is the chief part of wisdom.” (Jansenius) — This fear intimates the virtue of religion, to which the Israelites gave the preference over prudence, &c. (Josephus, contra App. 2.) — This distinguished them from other nations, Deuteronomy iv. 8. (Calmet) — Fear is the beginning, charity the end of wisdom. (Eusebius) — Beginning with fear, we ascend to true wisdom, which are the first and last of the gifts of the Holy Ghost. (Worthington) — Do it. Act conformably to this fear. (Haydock) — Speculative wisdom is good, but not sufficient, Romans xi. 13. (St. Chrysostom, &c.) — Many read ea, “those things,” with the Hebrew, while the Septuagint have eam, this wisdom. But Houbigant adheres to the Vulgate. (Berthier) — His. God’s, (St. Chrysostom) though some would refer ejus to intellectus. (Berthier) — He shall be praised for ever who has been so well informed as to adopt the fear or wisdom of the Lord for his guide. (Haydock) Bible Text & Cross-references: God is to be praised for his graces, and benefits to his Church. 1 Alleluia. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just, and in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills 3 His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever. 4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: 5 he hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: 6 he will shew forth to his people the power of his works. 7 that he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment. 8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity. 9 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name: 10 *the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.”